Re: 14th

On 07.01.2024 23.21, Merlyne wrote:
> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]: 
> 
>> On 18.12.2023 20.45, Merlyne wrote:
>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>
>>>> On 29.11.2023 15.34, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 22.11.2023 14.33, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>> BeH <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>>>> news:[email protected]: 
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 08.11.2023 14.11, Merlyne wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [unreadable stuff snipped]
>>>>>> [Unreadable stuff snipped II: Deeper snips]
>>>>> [I missed unreadable stuff snipped I, so I won't be able to follow
>>>>> the plot]
>>>> [Don't worry - the plot is the same as USS II - only with slightly
>>>> less violence]
>>> {oh no! I missed USS I and II}
>> {No matter - the plot didn't make much sense anyway}
>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now I want a pastry :(
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There you go. I'm sure it's all
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> very >>>>> healthy: 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://duckduckgo.com/?q=wienerbr%C3% 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> B8d&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ia=images 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A lot of good a picture will do me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Anyways, I bought some 2-bite apple
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> turnover thingees at the store. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure they were good too, for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> what >>> they were. 2-bite? As in tiny
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ones? >>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They are small.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Perfect for when you need something
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sweet  but don't want to eat a big
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> slab >> of pie. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Isn't that what fruit is for?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if your not in the mood for fruit?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if you want caek or pie?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What if eating cake or pie is highly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> discouraged? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm sure it's on no country's food
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pyramid. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The baker's guild begs to differ.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They can beg all they want. Cake and pie
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> will never get on the pyramid. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But I'm certain there was plenty of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> delicious baked goods *in* the pyramids. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like what?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Something their Mummy made?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A chicken wrap maybe...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ramen noodles?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fruit of the Tomb?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tut y fruity Ice cream...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ancient Egyptian puns are hard :(
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll end making an asp of myself.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can probably ask your smart phone... that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> O'Siris thing. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That didn't land.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did your eye-phone die?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As if I can afford or want one of those.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm confident your [brand] smart phone has a similar
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oracle-like functionality by whatever name.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I never use it since if I shout a question at it, it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> shouts back the answer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That'll learn you to speak nicely to the mindless
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> piece of software. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Unlikely!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Have you even tried?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No. I don't want the Mega tech Corporation to have my
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> recordings. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh, they have your recordings. Portable device microphones
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> are getting pretty good these days.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don't know why anybody would want those.
>>>>>>>>>>>> The more they know... the more they can sell you stuff.
>>>>>>>>>>> Oh no!
>>>>>>>>>> And if that doesn't work there's always blackmail.
>>>>>>>>> oh no!
>>>>>>>>> Actually I won't pay if they threaten to tell everyone that
>>>>>>>>> I've been looking at shoes online again. 
>>>>>>>> But what if they threaten to put the recordings of you singing
>>>>>>>> to yourself and your cat on the Utoob?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Now I know they are watching the wrong place.
>>>>>>> *phew*
>>>>>> Are you trying to claim it's the cat that does all the singing in
>>>>>> your house?
>>>>>>
>>>>> The cat sings at 4:30 am every day.
>>>>> so yes...
>>>> Is that a local radio station. I don't think anyone uses the AM band
>>>> around here any more. It's all mostly digital now anyways.
>>> I use an app.
>> Of course you do. But what about when there is a national emergency
>> and you are instructed to stay inside, light some candles, and listen
>> to the national emergency proclamations on your battery powered
>> transistor radio? 
>>
> 
> The emergencies are broadcast by SMS especially when a child get picked 
> up from school by the non-custodial parent 1000 miles away.
As important as that is, it hardly qualifies as a national emergency. At
most a regional emergency.

> They also broadcast on tv.
Yes but that isn't going to help in the national emergency when all the
power is down and the cellphone towers don't work. That's why you need
to hoard batteries for the transistor radio. And candles.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You do know that [Mega tech Corporation] has records
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of all your shouting now, right? You probably get
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> served a lot of ads for lozenges and such.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If I see ads for lozenges, how will I be able to tell
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> if from the shouting at Google or because I viewed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and/or purchased them online? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You won't. That's the insidious part. Also who even buys
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lozenges online? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have contemplated it. The bag of Ricola is cheaper on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Amazon than at the phramacy.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sure, everywhere else is cheaper that at the pharmacy. You
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> pay extra to have stuff sold to you by a person employed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> by an actual pharmacist. Don't they have Ricola in your
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> local shop? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> They are cheaper on Amazon than at Wal-Mart even.
>>>>>>>>>>>> But there will be a delivery charge, surely. Unless one has
>>>>>>>>>>>> Amazon prime, which I gather is being paid for in some way.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I have Amazon Prime :)
>>>>>>>>>> I didn't doubt it for a minute. And you pay for that one way
>>>>>>>>>> or another. Have I mentioned that Amazon doesn't have a
>>>>>>>>>> presence in my country, in real world of on the web, save for
>>>>>>>>>> a redirect to the German site. 
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Other than free 2 days delivery, I also get Prime Video and
>>>>>>>>> Amazon Music channels. The price is 100% worth it just for
>>>>>>>>> those things. 
>>>>>>>> Okay then - as long as you are happy. [Something about bundling
>>>>>>>> free delivery with those other things to invite more trade the
>>>>>>>> warehouse part of the MegaCorp.]
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The pharmacies here are like department stores.
>>>>>>>>>>>> The pharmacies here are in principle only allowed to sell
>>>>>>>>>>>> medicine (prescription, non-prescription and with a special
>>>>>>>>>>>> permit medicine for production animals) and "such goods as
>>>>>>>>>>>> naturally and conveniently relate to pharmacy business as
>>>>>>>>>>>> determined by the Health Department". Also they need a
>>>>>>>>>>>> licence. They all sell stuff like toothpicks and plasters
>>>>>>>>>>>> and vitamins and such. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> One of the large pharmacy chains is owned by a grocery chain,
>>>>>>>>>>> so they sell groceries, electronics, cleaning supplies etc.
>>>>>>>>>> But surely it's a separate counter for prescription medicine?
>>>>>>>>>> With a trained staff?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Yes. They also now lock up all the cold medication until said
>>>>>>>>> staff arrive. Probably because of Breaking Bad. 
>>>>>>>> Breaking Bad is the one with the chemistry teacher who starts
>>>>>>>> cooking meth and goes crazy? Does that involve cold medication?
>>>>>>>> Also there is no cure for common cold; so cough drops or
>>>>>>>> something? 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I think ephedrine is used to make meth.
>>>>>> I see... *takes notes* Anything else?
>>>>>>
>>>>> Not sure. Google it.
>>>>> Or watch Breaking Bad. It's a really good show.
>>>> But not available on danish state tv...
>>>> I was informed that Fargo was a really good show too. I saw the
>>>> first episode and decided otherwise.
>>>>
>>> I like that one. I appeals to my poetic sense of irony.
>> As far as I got it was a show about rather pathetic people making the
>> wrong choice at every opportunity. I don't need a movie/show to tell
>> me how that goes. And that's not even accounting for the murderings.
>>
> 
> It all works out somehow.
I'll never know. It was too depressing to keep watching.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Whatever an ancient dead pharaoh/demi-god
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> liked to eat with their coffee, I guess.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did they have coffee? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What good would being an ancient pharaoh if it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> didn't include coffee? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm wondering when coffee was introduced to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Egypt. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now I am too. Are you going to look it up?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *sigh*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> According to the National Coffee Association (who
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> knew?): "By the 15th century, coffee was being
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> grown in the Yemeni district of Arabia and by the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 16th century it was known in Persia, Egypt, Syria,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and Turkey. Coffee was not only enjoyed in homes,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> but also in the many public coffee houses —
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> called qahveh khaneh — which began to appear in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cities across the Near East." 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not in King Tut's time.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No wonder he died young, then.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought he was murdered.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don't think so... He was a sickly kid born with all
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sorts of defects. Perhaps not too surprising, given
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the family tradition of selecting spouses from within
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the family. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It keeps the blood lines pure.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And promotes all the 'fun' genetics...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Must be some definition of the word 'fun' that I was
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> previously unaware of.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 'Fun' in a scientific sense... Like when the geneticists
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mix up dinosaur genes with frog genes late on a friday
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> after a few beers and giggles about the fun new species
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they make. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm giggling right now.
>>>>>>>>>>>> See: Fun!
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I guess it's a side effect of not inviting scientists to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> parties. 
>>>>>>>>>>>> If one does it's probably prudent to mention that the
>>>>>>>>>>>> invitation does not include any reconstituted raptors they
>>>>>>>>>>>> may have around. Not even as a present for the host.
>>>>>>>>>>> It might be entertaining to watch.
>>>>>>>>>> It's all fun and games until some lawyer gets eaten.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Who invited lawyers to the party?
>>>>>>>> Dunno, it's not my party. Might be a +1. Or maybe they got in on
>>>>>>>> a technicality. An unspecified technicality like in the crime
>>>>>>>> shows. 
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I find the police do more weird/stupid things than the lawyers do
>>>>>>> on tv. Like when they try to sneak up on suspect in a police car
>>>>>>> with the lights flashing and the siren on. Who wouldn't run?
>>>>>> Black people.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm more annoyed by teevee detectives who "solves" their cases by
>>>>>> uncovering some "evidence" that is either blatently inconclusive
>>>>>> or so flimsy (or irrelevant) it will never make a difference in
>>>>>> court. 
>>>>>
>>>>> First you have to accuse the wrong person (3 times).
>>>> That only applies until the budget for "wrongful arrest"
>>>> compensation is used up.
>>>>
>>> Oddly, they never show that part.
>> Not enough action in civil litigation, usually. Hardly ever any car
>> chases either.
>>
> That must be the reason.
>>>>>> Also forensic scientists who make findings that are somewhere
>>>>>> between science fiction and impossible.
>>>>>
>>>>> There is always a drop of blood (too small for dna analysis) that
>>>>> the suspect missed.
>>>> It was only a few days ago I saw (in a tv-show) a medical examiner,
>>>> who also did all the forensics for some reason, find a drop of the
>>>> culprits blood in the victims blood on the murder weapon. And
>>>> successfully DNA sequenced it.
>>>>
>>> Amazing!
>> Truly. Science has come a long way since the days of Peter Wimsey.
>>
> Who?
*sigh* Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey - brother of the 16th duke of
Denver. War hero and gentleman detective. His valet Bunter does all the
photographing and chemical analysis for the cases (when not doing all
the valet things, of course).
Fictional. Invented and written by Dorothy L. Sayers.

>>>>>> Police being bumbling idiots are at least realistic.
>>>>>>
>>>>> Sometimes I watch shows with real cold cases and the investigating 
>>>>> officers always ignore some compelling information.
>>>> As I said.
>>>> In period english crime stories they always spend a lot of time
>>>> chasing down the vagrant who invariable have been seen somewhere
>>>> nearby. 
>>>>
>>> Which happens since they don't have jobs to go to.
>> OR they are the long lost husband of one of the maids in the manor
>> house and the catalyst of the side plot that has nothing to do with
>> the murder except for confirming/breaking an alibi.
>>
> It's just a red herring.
> 
>>>>>> [USS Part III: The retconning]
>>>>> [*Merlyne wakes up* I've had the strangest dream...]
>>>> [Was it about endless lines of chevrons?]
>>> [No. I dreamt we argued about brocolli]
>> [What a stange dream. How can there be opposing views on broccoli.]
>>
> [I know, eh? Everyone knows that brocolli is a delicious and nutritious 
> superfood.]
[Except for the fact that it tastes terrible and also is poisonous.]
> 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh dear!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What!!?! Who is bat boy?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a tabloid thing back in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>> day. >>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_Boy_ 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (character
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ) 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm shocked - shocked I tell you -
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to >>> learn that a newspaper would
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> just >> make >>> up a story, with no
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> regard for 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the >>> integrity 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of the press. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No, you aren't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That may or may not have been
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sarcastic... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought it was fake outrage.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The outrage is real. The shock maybe
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> not > so much. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I see. Batboy enrages you. Noted.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not Batboy as such - the lack of clarity
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about the fact that Batboy was wholly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fictional. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's pretty obvious, no?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Although, I'm sure there are a few kooks
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> who believe he is real. *shrug*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I refer you to the case of the radio
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dramatisation of H.G. Wells' "The War of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the Worlds". 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, yes...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There is also the ancient dictum (about
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> writing manuals): Don't write to be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> understood - write to not be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *mis*understood. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I always write user guide like the audience
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is a 6 year old. Even then (with
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> screenshots) people mess things up. I had a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> math professor 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that told me: it's not that people can't do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> math, they just can't read. Ah...the lost
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> art of reading... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Speaking of... I just finished The Clan of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the Cave Bear. All 587 pages of it. That's a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lot of words. Not all of them strictly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> necessary in my opinion... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm on book 3 of the Wheel of Time series.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The average size is 826 pages. There are 13
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> books plus a prequel. So there!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not that it's a competition or anything but I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> did finish the next book in the series and am
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2/3 through the third. Before that I (re)read
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the 13 volumes of the chronicles of Pern that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have. It's mostly about dragons - science
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fiction dragons. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I used to read those when I was a teenager. My
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dad took them to work for a book sale and all
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the computer nerds lost their minds. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That can't have been good for productivity...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> They were government jobs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Government jobs have productivity measurements
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> too. They are just... different.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> People who don't work in the government seem to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> think we don't any work. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have been working a lot alongside public employees
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of various kinds. To avoid annoying you I shall
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> refrain from commenting on this. They do hold a lot
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of meetings, though. Long meetings. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I worked for Census, we did have a lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> meetings. Not so much where I am now.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Depends on who's in charge.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I was there it was usually because of some
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (major) changes in organisation and/or workflow. Gotta
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hold meetings about that sort of thing. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I worked in the private sector, they had a huge
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all staff meeting in the ballroom of a super-posh hotel
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to annouce the company was changing it's name. One
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> woman in the middle of the crowd jumped up and screamed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 'I love it!' after the new name was revealed. I was
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> just there for the free food. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yeah, they do that sometimes - for publicity. And
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> probably with invited 'news-media' persons, who are also
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> just there for the free food. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nothing wrong with free food.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Especially if it is tax-deductible.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Deductions from net income:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Free food: $0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's certainly not a deduction for the consumers of the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> food. And it might be for the purchaser if the purchaser
>>>>>>>>>>>>> was a registered charity.
>>>>>>>>>>>> If (and it is) the food is served as part of a promotional
>>>>>>>>>>>> initiative it will be a business expense for the company,
>>>>>>>>>>>> thus reducing the taxable profit.
>>>>>>>>>>>> On the other hand it may be a taxable material good for
>>>>>>>>>>>> whoever eat from it... hmmm.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I dunno.
>>>>>>>>>>> I just ate the free food and tried not to over-think it.
>>>>>>>>>> I wouldn't speak about it so freely in front of the tax-man if
>>>>>>>>>> I were you. 
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Why?
>>>>>>>> Do you want to get audited for not declaring taxable goods or
>>>>>>>> services received?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I challenge them to prove it!
>>>>>> With all the media people taking part in the event that shouldn't
>>>>>> be all that difficult.
>>>>>>
>>>>> There shouldn't be any pictures. I was practicing stealing things 
>>>>> stealthily.
>>>> Honestly!
>>>> One of the first rules of stealthy stealing is not to do it if there
>>>> are a lot of cameras around.
>>>>
>>> D'oh!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I never knew about them before I inherited them,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and I didn't consider them for reading for a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> long time, thinking they were 'Fantasy'. Because
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of the dragons. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I liek dragons!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The books are more about how civilization can
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> devolve. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And the importance of preserving knowledge.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And how some people are just shitty humans,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> through malice or ignorance. And dragons.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> YAY! Dragons!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes. Science-fictionally believable dragons.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I haven't been reading as much as I normally do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in the summer. Usually, I go outside and lounge
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and read but this summer has been either super
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hot or raining, making the mosquitoes quite
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fierce. Also my Kobo broke. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Assuming a Kobo is some kind of e-reader and not
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> your favourite lounge-chair, let me point out
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that books also come as self-contained stacks of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> printed paper... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes. I can put several on a Kobo which weighs a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> few ounces. This comes in handy when you finish a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> book when you are away from home. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Unless you run out of battery and forget the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> charger. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yep that could happen.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And that would be bad.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I can play with my phone instead.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I thought the phone was for public transport and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> zoom-meetings... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's for any times when I am bored.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> How can you be bored when you have all those thousands
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of books to read? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I like having options.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What is thousands of books if not options?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's about variety, you know, the spice of life.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Reading = 1 option.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Other options = listening to music/podcast
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Snoozing
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Playing Candy Crush
>>>>>>>>>>>> I see... Anything to not be thinking about stuff? Or
>>>>>>>>>>>> interact with your fellow humans.
>>>>>>>>>>> Exactly!
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also, with paper books, you have to procure more
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and then rid yourself of them once finished.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Get Rid Of Books!!?? What is this madness. What if
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you want to read them again at some point?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The number of books that I keep is very small.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which for instance prohibits you from now re-reading
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the chronicles of Pern.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which I don't want to reread.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Okay then. Don't read about the dragons...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Okay. I won't.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also a Kobo has infinite storage, I take it?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I forget how many books it can hold. More that you
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> can carry even with a cargo bike.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> So there!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hard-cover or paperback? My cargo bike is rated for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 200Kg. How many books is that?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My new one can hold 12,000 books. How much does that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> weigh? 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> From an admittedly small sample size paperbacks weigh
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ~50g/100pages. Assuming an average length of 350 pages
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that's 175g * 12000 or about 2.1 metric tons. However
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you aren't going to read nearly that many books in one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sitting/vacation/year(/lifetime). One cargo bike full
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is about 1200 books, which will do me quite well for a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> while. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think the point is that I can carry more books than
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you can. 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think the point is that even a cargo bike can hold
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> more books than it is reasonable to have on one's
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> immediate to-read list at any one time... 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Still. I can carry more books.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> So there!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Quite. And the Tesla guy has more money than the Amazon
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> guy (or vice versa)... *shrug*
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> What's that to do with the price of eggs in China?
>>>>>>>>>>>> At some point 'more' becomes pointless...
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> You're a poor loser.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I've had so very little practice.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> You had 5 years experience losing arguments with Phil.
>>>>>>>> I never lost an argument with Phil. Easily verified by the fact
>>>>>>>> that he was wrong about most things.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> That's not my recollection...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Just think of all the points I gathered in that time.
>>>>>>
>>>>> I remember that you would declare yourself to be right and award 
>>>>> yourself points for it.
>>>> Only in situations where I was obviously right and deserving of
>>>> points. 
>>>>
>>> I don't remember things that way at all...
>> You should probably allocate a good amount of time to research this
>> topic on google while you still can. It will all come back to you...
> 
> I think that google is keeping the historical stuff. They will just stop 
> archiving your rantings in February.
> If I have time, I will do a study to see how many times you awarded 
> yourself points for no reason vs actually being right.
Oh, I can tell you that right now: never.

-- 
BeH

" We are trapped by language to such a degree that every attempt to
formulate insight is a play on words." - Niels Bohr